Timothy Campbell: balancing profession with performance

As a South Dakota native, assistant music professor Timothy Campbell gave up traveling the rest of the country to make it back to his roots. Originally from Sioux Falls, Campbell lived all over the country but returned to the region to join USD in 2014.

Campbell teaches a variety of classes at USD – choral literature, applied voice and sight-singing – and conducts the Concert Choir and Men and Women’s Chorus. He’s also been involved in a number of professional ensembles over the last 17 years.

The ensembles include the Rose Ensemble, Conspirare, Kinnara and The South Dakota Chorale and Transept, which is the ensemble Campbell founded and currently leads in Sioux Falls.

“It’s a joy to make music at such a high level, and I’m continually inspired by both the music and the colleagues I meet,” Campbell said. 

Since coming to USD, Campbell said he has loved working with students and watching them grow.

“I love being able to witness a student blossom in the span of a few years, from fresh out of high school to young professionals and teachers themselves,” Campbell said in an email interview with The Volante. “I also appreciate that USD allows me to make music with people at many different levels.”

David Holdhusen, another music professor at USD, said he has enjoyed working with Campbell.

“Dr. Campbell is a wonderful colleague who gives freely of himself to assist the growth and development of our vocal area,” Holdhusen said. “His work with area music teachers and commitment to our vocal team have been instrumental in what we have achieved at the university.”

Juggling performance with profession can create scheduling overload, Campbell said. To prepare for his performances, Campbell usually takes one to two weeks off each semester to travel and perform. 

“It’s definitely a balancing act,” Campbell said. “’I’m so grateful to be able to teach and perform and plan to do both as long as possible.”

Tiffany Timmerman, a junior nursing major, was a part of the Concert Choir her first and second year at USD. Timmerman said joining Concert Choir was one of the best decisions she’s made in her college career.

“Dr. Campbell makes choir more of a family atmosphere than just an everyday choir,” Timmerman said. “Dr. Campbell is a very fun and enthusiastic director that made even the long weeks fun.”

In the future, Campbell said he plans to keep teaching at USD and immersing himself in his involvement in music. He said one of the best parts of working at USD is the relationships he develops with students and colleagues.

“I’m always learning,” Campbell said. “USD allows me to teach but also to learn from my students and colleagues. No matter the degree or professional experience, there is always room to learn and to grow.”